Avant Yard: 10 top Mother's Day gifts for gardening moms

Mother's Day invariably means an avalanche of mundane gift ideas for mom. If your mom is into gardening big-time, why not get something she can use and/or enjoy year-round--unlike, say, that $60 bunch of flowers or (yawn) potted herb garden you were about to order. Read on for ten gifts that real gardening moms would love to receive this Mother's Day!

Oh and by the way: all of the following gift ideas are available on the Web, which is cool because it means you don't have to schlep to the mall or your local blue- or orange-hued home and garden superstore. The down side: prices do not include tax or shipping. But, hey, if you can avoid a trip to the mall on Saturday it's worth it, right?

1. Japanese hand shears, $25-$48
Renowned for their beauty and durability are these Japanese hand tools. The secret? They are constructed from carbon steel (as opposed to stainless steel). Elegant rolled steel handles give them an unusual and distinctive appearance. In order to prevent rusting, these tools must always be dried after use and oiled occasionally. Aficionados swear it's worth the effort.


GardenGear sells small bonsai hasami scissors for around $25 and up, and larger satsuki pruning scissors for $48.50. Because these shears (like any gardening tools) need sharpening from time to time, how about pairing them with an authentic Japanese waterstone? Either way, you're looking at an unusual and tasteful gift.

2. Butterfly Suncatcher, $9.75
From Greenfeet, this pretty aqua blue suncatcher is made from 100% recycled glass and would look great on the front porch or patio. Suncatchers are 4-inches in diameter. Each is finished with a hemp cord, glass beads, and an "inspirational message." An ideal gift from one eco-conscious family member to another. Perfect gift from a child...or an adult kid on a tight budget!

3. Oxo® Good Grips® Gel-e Weeder, $15.95
Yes, the brand is a little ho-hum, making this a decidedly non-glamorous choice. But this well-designed and affordable weeder by Oxo® will get tons of use by the serious gardener. Constructed of high-quality stainless steel, with slightly squishy gel handles for comfort when digging in hard soil. A great time of year to give it, too--what gardener does not have tons of weeding to do with Spring's arrival?

4. Monogrammable Gardening Gloves, $26-$31
These beautiful gardening gloves from Red Envelope caught my eye. They are made from brown suede with colored canvas cuffs to protect the wrists and arms. They are available in sizes small, medium, and large. Quality details include reinforced thumbs. They can be monogrammed with up to three initials.

Buyer beware: soft suede is probably not going to be sturdy enough for hard-core gardening tasks. But these would be perfect for everyday pruning and weeding, especially in thorny rose gardens. Plus they're so pretty. A wonderful gift for mom!

5. Stainless Steel Gazing Ball, $28 and up
Unlike the dainty glass varieties, these stainless steel gazing balls are virtually unbreakable. Weather-resistant and maintenance-free, they come in a variety of sizes and a range of vibrant colors, including Lollipop, Blue Stardust, Mystic and Black Pearl. Best choice for the average garden? The ten-inch globe in standard reflective silver, priced at a reasonable $28.

6. Step-by-Step Gardens, $19.99-$179.99
Check out gardens-in-a-box from Spring Hill Nurseries. What I like about these all-in-one gardens is that there's something for every price range. Perfect for the gardening enthusiast who still has free room for planting. Perfect, also, for the busy mom who doesn't have time to choose the perfect planting combination herself. With these plans, the hard decisions have been made for you. Just select a package that suits the spot you need to improve.

Here are my three picks:
1) Complete Three-Season Garden ($79.99) consisting of nine colorful perennials perfect for a sunny locale.
2) Woodland Garden Collection ($64.99). A nice balance of mixed foliage and cheerful flowers, especially designed to attract songbirds.
3) Hot Spot Garden ($39.99) for those tough, dry slopes where nothing else thrives, this combination, including daylillies and black-eyed Susan, will provide summer color and excellent drought-resistance.

7. Extra-sturdy Bean Tower, $29.95
For veggie gardeners who don't like fooling around: this big bean tower by Gardener's Supply Company is 65-inches-high when installed so you can grow mondo green beans and peas this summer. The tower has big 10-inch-thick wooden supports at the base for stability. The test gardener for this product reported growing 2,400 beans on one last year--on just 1 1/2 square feet of soil! Folds flat for shipping and storage.

8. Gardener's Hip Watch, $59.00
Marketed as a Father's Day gift because of its sturdy, practical styling, I like this antique-style hip watch a lot. The 1 7/8-inch-diameter watch is enclosed in a high-quality brown leather case that slips onto your belt. Quickly flip it open to check the time. A nice choice for the gardener who already has every gadget under the sun. Okay, so it's somewhat masculine in design. So what? I would have no problem wearing this.

9. Haw's Professional Watering Can, $119.95-$124.95
The price may make you gasp, but they say this is the best watering can out there. It's the original, high-quality watering can made by Haw's of England since 1885. This can holds 2.3 gallons yet its unique shape makes balancing the weight a snap. Made of zinc-coated galvanized steel that resists rusting. Oh, and the painstaking manufacturing process adds to the appeal. A splurge for the beloved mom with lots of house or porch plants to water.

10. Vintage Rooster Weathervane, $235
Aaaand if you really want to splurge, consider a nice piece of antique garden decor. Example: this vintage metal rooster weathervane from Kimball & Bean would look amazing repurposed as yard art. The imposing fowl is mounted on a cast stone base. The whole thing stands 24-inches-tall and weighs 65 pounds.

Hope your green-thumbed mom has a wonderful Mother's Day on the 11th!